Podcasts about nlt jesus

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” (Acts 2:41 NLT) Jesus’ followers experienced a profound change after His resurrection. Jesus had conquered sin and death forever. He had already won the war against humankind’s two greatest enemies. So His followers were emboldened to fight the battles against those who opposed Jesus’ work. They literally had nothing to fear any longer. We can see the evidence of their newfound boldness in the events that took place during the celebration of Pentecost at the temple in Jerusalem about ten days after Jesus returned to Heaven. Pentecost (which is also known as Shavuot) is a major Jewish festival. In the first century AD, people traveled from foreign lands to celebrate it at the Jerusalem temple, the center of Jewish worship. Jesus’ followers were also in Jerusalem at the time. About 120 of them had continued to meet since Jesus’ departure. According to Acts 2:1–4, a roaring wind suddenly swept through their meeting place. Small flames appeared and rested on each of them. The Holy Spirit filled them, and they began to speak in languages they didn’t know. A large crowd rushed in to investigate the commotion. Foreign visitors to the city were stunned to hear stories about the wonderful things God had done being spoken in their native languages by uneducated Galileans. Peter seized the moment. The disciple who, just a short time earlier, had been too scared even to identify himself with Jesus, boldly stepped forward and explained that the people were witnessing the fulfillment of a prophecy God had made hundreds of years earlier, as recorded in Joel 2:28–32. God had promised to pour out His Spirit on all people, and now the Spirit had arrived. Peter then launched into an impromptu sermon. He reminded people of the miracles Jesus had performed. He pointed to those miracles, as well as to Jesus’ death and resurrection, to show them that Jesus had carried out God’s plan of salvation. Peter quoted the prophetic words King David wrote about Jesus hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth. And then he identified Jesus as the long-promised Lord and Messiah. Peter urged the people to repent and be baptized so that they, too, would be filled with the Holy Spirit. His words had a powerful impact. Acts 2:42 says that about three thousand people believed in Jesus that day. With one bold push, Peter and the others started the snowball rolling downhill. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they established the church and began to fulfill the Great Commission—to make disciples of all nations. The world would never be the same. The same Holy Spirit who gave wisdom, strength, and boldness to Peter and the others fills everyone who believes in Jesus today. His power is always available to us. He equips us to step out of our comfort zone, to reach across the invisible lines that separate us from others, and to boldly share the Good News of Jesus. Reflection question: What specifically can the Holy Spirit equip you to do? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EASTER | April 20, 2025Pastor Wes MorrisLuke 24:1-7 (NLT) But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”√ GOD'S DELAYS ARE NOT HIS DENIALS. John 11:4-6 (NLT) When Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus,  he stayed where he was for the next two days.√ GOD RESPONDS TO OUR REAL AND RAW FAITH. John 11:20-22 (NLT) When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died."√ GOD'S PLAN IS ALWAYS BEST.John 11:35-44 (NLT) Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn't he have kept Lazarus from dying?”Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb...“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”43-44 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.FROM DEATH TO LIFEI. RECEIVE NEW MERCY FOR MY MISTAKES.Psalm 51:10 (NIV) Create a new, clean heart within me. Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you.Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT) But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God's grace that you have been saved! II. RECEIVE NEW LIFE AND FREEDOM IN CHRIST.Romans 6:4-5 (NIV) We were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.John 11:25-26 (NLT) Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this?”

This is the day everything changed. We celebrate Easter not just to recall a moment, but to remember a mystery: that even death couldn't stop God's plans. in this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares that the resurrection is not just a nice story—it's the unstoppable truth that redefines reality.  Why is the resurrection such a big deal?Christians talk about the cross a lot, but the empty grave is the key to our faith.Romans 6:8-9 MSG When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us.If the cross is Jesus' death for me, the empty grave is Jesus' life for me.If the cross gets me into heaven, the empty grave gets heaven into me.If the cross reveals Jesus as savior, the empty grave reveals Jesus as victor.If the cross paid for my sin, the empty grave means that the payment was accepted. You can have confidence that the resurrection happened.In addition to the 4 independent documents attesting to the historicity of the resurrection called "the gospels" - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We also have many eyewitness testimonies that people saw Jesus after his death.1 Corinthians 15:3-6These disciples suddenly and sincerely came to believe that Jesus was risen from the dead, despite there being no benefit to them believing it. Two Biblical authors, James and Jude, believed their brother Jesus was God. What would it take for you to believe your sibling was God? The stone was rolled away, not to let Jesus out, but to let us in—so we could see that what He said is true. Shortly before Jesus' death and resurrection, He made one of His boldest declarations.John 14:6 NLT Jesus' way is unstoppable.Jesus is protecting you when He shows you His way because He is the only road that leads to life.Proverbs 14:12 NIVBottom line: You cannot get to a kingdom destination by following the culture's directions. Jesus' truth is unstoppable.Jesus is the reality check the world didn't ask for, but desperately needs. John 8:31-32 The truth that sets us free in found in only in Christ.The resurrection is the exclamation point on everything Jesus ever said.  Jesus' life is unstoppable.Jesus didn't escape death; He conquered it. John 11:25-26 Your story doesn't have to end in despair, defeat, or death. In Christ, your story ends in resurrection. Jesus doesn't only offer you a better life; He offers you eternal life. If you're feeling lost—He's the Way. If you're questioning what's real—He's the Truth. If you're barely hanging on—He's the Life. This is Easter.When the devil said "checkmate," God said, "The King has one more move."Jesus is the Way that can't be blocked, the Truth that can't be silenced, and the Life that can't be killed.  Is Jesus your way, your truth, and your life?

Believing leads to belongingActs 2:47 (NKJV) - And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.Ephesians 1:22–23 (MSG) - He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center ofall this, Christ rules the church. 23 The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world isperipheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fillseverything with his presence.If you believe…you will seeJohn 3:3–7 (NLT) - Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see theKingdom of God.” 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spirituallife. 7 So don't be surprised when I say, ‘You mustJohn 20:26–29 (MSG) - Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas waswith them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” 27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your handand stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe.” 28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!” 29 Jesussaid, “So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store forthose who believe without seeing.”

“For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! ” (Psalm 34:20 NLT) Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross made eternal life possible. It’s the greatest gift ever offered. And God wanted to make sure that people recognized the gift for what it was. So even in the most agonizing moments of Jesus’ sacrifice, He continued to fulfill prophecies about His death that had been made hundreds of years earlier. Isaiah 53:12 predicted that Jesus would be put to death alongside criminals. “I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels” (NLT). Mark 15:27 says, “Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left” (NLT). In Luke’s account of the crucifixion, one of the revolutionaries taunted Jesus. The other defended Him. “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:42–43 NLT). In Exodus 12:46, God gave Moses and Aaron instructions for the first Passover. “Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones” (NLT). The verse from Psalm 34 above turns those instructions into prophecy. Jesus was our sacrificial lamb. When John the Baptist saw Him, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NLT). Psalm 34:20 predicted that the Lamb of God’s bones would not be broken. To understand the significance of this prophecy, you have to know a little about crucifixion. Most people who were crucified died of suffocation. The position of their bodies on the cross restricted their lungs and made it hard to catch their breath. They had to push themselves up with their feet, which were nailed to the cross, to take a breath. If a crucifixion took too long, the Roman soldiers would break the person’s legs so that he couldn’t push up anymore. That’s what almost happened to Jesus. John 19:33 says, “But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs” (NLT). Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear. And “immediately blood and water flowed out” (verse 34 NLT). The water was likely fluid that had built up around Jesus’ heart and lungs. The piercing of the spear confirmed that Jesus was dead. It also confirmed that God works in amazing ways. In Zechariah 12:10, which was written hundreds of years before Jesus’ crucifixion, God says, “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died” (NLT). The biblical account of Jesus’ crucifixion is unflinching. Our sin made it necessary for Jesus to suffer as no one else has ever suffered. And the Bible pulls no punches in recording His suffering. But even the smallest details of the story reveal the perfection of God’s plan. He caused all things to work together for good, and He made eternal life possible. Reflection question: How can you honor God’s perfect plan of salvation in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Palm Sunday message, we take a raw and honest look at unmet expectations. The crowd in Jerusalem cheered for a King who they believed would fix their world… but Jesus had something much deeper in mind. Maybe you've been praying for breakthrough, direction, healing—or just a sign that Jesus sees you—and it feels like He hasn't shown up the way you hoped. You're not alone. In this message, "The King We Want or the King We Need," we explore: Why the people missed the true mission of Jesus What to do when God doesn't meet your expectations How Jesus disrupts our plans to fulfill a greater purpose Why your biggest disappointments might actually be invitations to resurrection

“Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, ‘My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.’” (Matthew 26:42 NLT) Jesus’ last stop before His arrest was the Garden of Gethsemane. The garden was located on a slope of the Mount of Olives, just across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. When the events of Jesus’ arrest took place, the garden was likely an olive grove surrounded by walls. Some scholars believe it was owned by a wealthy follower of Jesus who allowed Him and His disciples to use it when they were in Jerusalem. Jesus likely chose this familiar spot because He felt the enormity of what was about to happen. The sins of every person who ever lived—and every person who ever will live—were about to be placed on Him. He was about to face God’s full wrath—alone. He was about to suffer as no one had ever suffered. He needed a place to pray, to spend time with His heavenly Father before He endured His Father’s punishment. All the disciples except Judas Iscariot accompanied Him to Gethsemane (although Judas would show up soon enough). At some point, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to go with Him to a remote part of the garden. He asked them to keep watch so that He wouldn’t be interrupted while He prayed. But even that simple request proved to be too difficult for them. Three times during His three-hour prayer session, Jesus returned to His trio of “watchers.” Three times He found them all asleep. The Bible’s description of Jesus’ prayer time makes it clear that His suffering started long before He was tortured and crucified. Hebrews 5:7 says, “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death” (NLT). Luke 22:44 says, “He was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood” (NLT). Jesus begged His heavenly Father to take the cup of suffering from Him. He wanted to know if there was another way for God’s plan of salvation to be fulfilled. God heard Jesus’ prayers. He sent an angel to comfort and strengthen Him (see Luke 22:43). And then He said no to His Son’s request. There was no other way. Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him (see John 14:6). His Father’s answer was all Jesus needed. “I want your will to be done, not mine,” He said (Luke 22:42 NLT). Submitting to God’s will renewed His strength and sense of purpose. That’s why, in the chaos that followed, Jesus was the calmest person in the garden. He knew He was doing God’s will. Refreshed and ready for what lay ahead, Jesus woke His sleepy friends and went out to meet the men who had come to arrest and kill Him. But in those hours in the garden, He revealed three life-changing truths about prayer. One, talking to God gives us the strength, courage, wisdom, and comfort we need to face any situation. Two, God sometimes says no because He has something else planned for us. Three, “Your will be done” is the perfect way to end every conversation with our heavenly Father. Reflection question: What important truths about prayer do you see in the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” (Matthew 21:8 NLT) Jesus rode into Jerusalem for the Passover celebration on a donkey, as a king would. And that’s how the crowd treated Him when He arrived—as a king. Jesus accepted their praise and worship, something He rarely did during His earthly ministry. Matthew 12 tells the story of Jesus healing many sick people. “But he warned them not to reveal who he was” (verse 16 NLT). And in Matthew 16, after Jesus commended Peter for declaring Him to be “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (verse 16 NLT), we find this statement: “Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah” (verse 20 NLT). Jesus issued no such warnings before He entered Jerusalem. He wanted everyone to know that He was the Messiah, the King they had been waiting for. He understood that the people’s excitement was misguided. The crowds weren’t praising Him because He came to save the world from God’s punishment for sin. They cheered because they believed He was going to free them from Roman control (and taxes). The people who lined the streets with palm branches and welcomed Jesus with open arms didn’t know that His actual mission was infinitely and eternally more important and more valuable than the military skirmish they envisioned. So days later, when their narrow-minded expectations were still unmet, their cheers turned to cries for His death. Their “Hosanna!” turned to “Crucify Him!” The people who hailed Him as a hero denounced Him as a fraud. It’s interesting to note that the Romans, the ones who had the most to lose if Jesus had turned out to be the Messiah the Jewish people expected, apparently didn’t see His triumphant entry as a threat. Nowhere in the Gospels is there a reaction to Jesus’ arrival by Roman officials or soldiers. The Roman military was stationed in Jerusalem to prevent rebellion. But they didn’t see Jesus or the crowds who gathered to greet Him as dangerous rebels. As far as Rome was concerned, the event was just a bunch of unarmed peasants waving broken tree branches to greet a local rabbi who was sitting on some old clothes as he rode a donkey. Hardly the type of movement that could disrupt an empire. Or so they thought. The Jewish religious leaders, on the other hand, saw an enormous threat. They received loud and clear the message Jesus communicated with His triumphant entry into Jerusalem: The Messiah had come. The religious leaders had tried to rid themselves of Jesus since the earliest days of His ministry. But because His work had not been completed, they were helpless to do anything. With Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, they faced another problem: His popularity with the crowd. As long as He had the people’s support, the leaders could do nothing to Him. So they bided their time and worked to undermine Him in the eyes of the people. And because their plans aligned with God’s plan, they succeeded. The Hero of Palm Sunday would be Public Enemy #1 by Good Friday. Jesus knew what was coming. Yet He willingly faced rejection—and much worse—to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. Reflection question: What preconceptions about Jesus can get in the way of sharing the truth about Him today? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor John Keating The author of Hebrews was writing to a group of Christians who had converted from Judaism. The entire book of Hebrews aims to encourage discouraged Christians. In these chapters, the author draws upon their Jewish experiences by referring to Jesus as their compassionate and helpful High Priest.  Hebrews 5:4-5a, 7-9 (NLT)- Jesus's role in our lives is not limited to the one who brought us Salvation.- Because of His sacrifice, He is qualified to be this High Priest on our behalf before God! - A High Priest in a Jewish community would spend time reading the Torah, sharing stories of their Jewish heritage, and explaining or answering questions about passages of the Torah people didn't understand.  This relationship with the High Priest was intended to be intentional and ongoing and help people grow in their understanding of who God was. - The author reminds Christians that their relationship with Jesus should be intentional and ongoing!  If you have a daily relationship with someone, you know them, experience them, and value them! The encouragement is to see Jesus as the High Priest with us daily, be intimate in prayer, and appreciate Him so much that we are compelled to know Him better! Doing this could transform our lives… but we get this warning of reality!!! Hebrews 5:11 (NLT)- Airplane Christian- Romans 10:17 (NLT) Hebrews 5:12-6:3 (NLT)- This is for seasoned Christians- Baby Christians vs. Maturity- Pastor isn't feeding me…- Feed Yourself.- Psalm 34:8 (NLT)How mature is your faith?  What level of influence does Christ have on you?- Imitation of Christ Hebrews 7:26-28 (NLT)

“O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past.” (Psalm 78:1–2 NLT) Jesus’ twelve disciples had front-row seats to the most amazing three years in human history—the years of Jesus’ public ministry. They witnessed miracles that defied explanation. They heard the most profound truths ever spoken. They experienced life with the Son of God. They had access to the wisdom of the ages. But it wasn’t all fish and loaves. Discipleship had its challenges, too. The constant crowd control. The sneering contempt of the Jewish religious establishment. The threat of arrest by Roman authorities. One of the biggest challenges, though, had to be understanding Jesus’ parables. Often the disciples were the liaisons between Jesus and the people who came to hear Him speak. After one of His sermons or teaching sessions, those who couldn’t talk to Jesus Himself sought out His disciples. And it’s likely that one of the most frequently asked questions they fielded was, “What did Jesus mean by that parable?” That may explain why, in Matthew 13:10, they asked Him the question that many people still ask today: “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” (NLT). So why did Jesus speak in parables? You can make the case that He understood the power of imagery and analogy. The story of a wayward son, a lost coin, or even a mustard seed is more memorable than a three-point presentation. You can make the case that He wanted to open the eyes of His followers and help them see the world around them in a different way. To help them understand that there are spiritual truths to be found everywhere, even in things as mundane as a lost sheep or a barren fig tree. Or you can search Jesus’ reply in Matthew 13:10–17. Jesus spoke in parables to give people with a spiritual hunger something to feed on—and to make it harder for those whose ears had grown dull—and whose hearts had grown hard—to understand His message. But there’s another truth we can’t overlook. Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 78. That’s why we read these words in Matthew 13:35: “This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: ‘I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world’” (NLT). The more Jesus obscured certain parts of His message, the more clearly He revealed His identity. Anyone who had searched Scripture for prophecies of the Anointed One would have picked up on Jesus’ use of parables. And it stands to reason that those same people would have had “the ears to hear” the spiritual wisdom in those parables. That’s who Jesus was targeting. He spoke in parables because He wanted people to recognize Him as the Messiah. Jesus’ principal adversaries were looking for a different kind of Messiah. They were looking for someone who would support their religious system and their chosen way of living, someone who would cater to their whims and conform to their wishes. A lot of people today want Jesus, but they want Him on their own terms. They want the kind of Jesus who will not challenge them. So they do nothing to meet the living Savior. Don’t make that mistake. Embrace the challenge that Jesus offers. There is life in His words. Reflection question: Which of Jesus’ parables speaks most loudly to you and why? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can we stay grounded in an anxious political climate?   Leadership anxiety expert Steve Cuss joins the Good Faith Podcast to help us navigate Trump's turbulent second term without becoming overwhelmed. We explore how chronic anxiety spreads through reactivity, why political leaders and their followers often amplify fear through straw man arguments, and how we can break free from the cycle. Drawing from his experience as a trauma chaplain and beyond, Steve shares practical tools for maintaining spiritual and emotional balance. If political division is making your mind race, heart pound, or body tense, Steve offers wisdom and encouragement to help you find calm and clarity in the chaos.   Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: askcurtis@redeemingbabel.org   Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org   Resources or references mentioned in this episode: Frederick Buechner's Whistling in the Dark The Evangelical vote in 2024 The Los Angeles Times: Is Donald Trump a new King David? “Remember the Lord” from Proverbs 3:6-16 GNT Jacob's assurance from Genesis 28 NLT  Jesus' trial before Pilate John 18:28-40 NLT Paul's trials before Festus and Felix Acts 24-26 NLT Jesus calls Herod a “fox” Luke 13:31-32 NLT Freedom to love others Galatians 5:13 More about Gregory Boyle More From Steve Cuss: Steve's podcast Being Human Steve's book Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs Steve's book The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God Steve's website (free access to the Life Giving List and Conscious List of Relationships) Register for the Illuminate Arts & Faith Conference   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter

Message for 02/16/2025 "Because He Is I Am" by Madison Tompkins. *All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted* Hebrews 1:3 (NLT) The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. Luke 8:24-25 (NLT) 24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we're going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” I am… The Bread of Life The Light of the World The Door The Good Shepherd The Resurrection and Life The Way, the Truth, and the Life The Vine Jesus is the Bread of Life John 6:48-51 (NLT) Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” Because He is the Bread of Life I am always secure. Jesus is the Light of the World John 9:1-7 (NLT) As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam”(Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! Because He's the Light of the World I am not in the dark. Jesus is the Door John 10:7-10 (ESV) So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Because He is the Door I am safe Jesus is the Good Shepherd John 10:11-15 (ESV) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. Because He's the Good Shepherd, I am valued, known, and fought for. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life John 11:25-26 (ESV) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Because He is the Resurrection and the Life I am full of hope. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life John 14:6 (NLT) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. Because He's the way, truth, and life, I'm exclusive. Jesus is the True Vine John 15:1-5 (NLT) I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Because He's the True Vine I am Helpless without Him Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT) I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

Keeping the Main Things the Main Things Pt 5 - Good Communication When we communicate, there are two primary necessities: To Be Heard and To Be Understood. The task of each Christian here is to learn to speak about your relationship with Jesus in a way your friends can understand. “Even musical instruments like the flute or the harp, though they are lifeless, are examples of the need for speaking plain language. For no one will recognize the melody unless the notes are played clearly…And it's the same for you. If you talk to people in a language they don't understand, how will they know what you mean? You might as well be talking to an empty room…in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words that will help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language…if unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your meeting and hear everyone talking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.” 1 Corinthians 14: 7-9; 19; 23 NLT “Later that same day, Jesus left the house and went down to the shore, where an immense crowd soon gathered. He got into a boat, where He sat and taught as the people listened on the shore. He told many stories…” Matthew 13:1-3 NLT “Here is another story Jesus told…” Matthew 13:24 NLT “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, He never spoke to them without using such parables.” Matthew 13:34 NLT Good Communication Matters Because… The Message of God to the World Matters! Because the Message Matters So Much… We MUST be Missionaries to this Culture “When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ…When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so I might bring them to Christ” 1 Corinthians 9:20-23 NLT “Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answers for everyone.” Colossians 4:5 NLT Because Someone was Missionary to Us and Made the Message Clear… We have the Responsibility to Pass the Message on to Others Anyone can have a fresh start with God through Jesus Christ

The Power of the “Kept” WordLuke 11:28: KJV: 28 But He said, “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it.”Other translations:AMP: 28 But He said, “On the contrary, blessed (happy, favored by God) are those who hear the word of God and continually observe it.”NIV: He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”NLT: Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”NASB: But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.”SLT: And he said, Rather, happy they hearing the word of God, and watching it. 3 words to pay attention to: ·       Blessed is from Makarios – and it meand to be fortunate or favoured by God·       Hear is from akuo – and it simply means to hear what was said·       Keep – it is the Greek word “Phulasso” – and it means through the idea of isolation, to watch i.e. be on guard, observeSo, a person is favoured by God or is deemed fortunate when he hears the word of God and observes or obey it or puts it into practiceHow do you put it into practice?First you must hear it.This is the reason why you can't have faith beyond what you constantly hear.Rom 10:17 NLT: So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.Faith comes by hearing the Good News  - not the bad news.Fear will come by hearing the bad newsThe word of God (specifically one based on the finished work of Christ) will build faith in you hence why you must hear it and hear it and hear it.Don't hear the gospel today and tomorrow go and hear fear-based message, it will destroy your faith or rather, your faith will become leaky!If you have never heard a message that God has healed you in Christ, then you can't believe for it and when you don't believe for it, you can't experience it. Favour Affirmation for the yearThe favour of God surrounds me like a shield producing supernatural increase, promotion, restoration, honour, increased access, greater victories, recognition, prominence, preferential treatment, petitions granted, policies and rules changed and battles won that I don't have to fight. Favour is mine in all things. This is my set time for God's favour. God is doing for me what my natural abilities and connections could not do. I am blessed and highly favoured of God in Jesus' Name!'

Faith involves *consistency. By Pastor George Lehman   Consistency:  It's the jewel worth wearing; it's the anchor worth securing; it's the thread worth weaving; it's a battle worth winning.”   - Charles Swindoll *consistency = stability, to change you go forward not backwards, steadfast to the same principles Inconsistency – when your words and actions don't align. James 1:18-25 (NIV) – 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.  19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for human anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  22 Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. *Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. *Do what it says = Like Putting a password in your computer but never pressing enter, it will never open the programs. True faith is characterized by Knowing Christ. Sowing consistency   True faith starts with knowing Christ as our Saviour. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) – 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Our best offer was… Ephesians 2:1-2 (NIV) – As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. You are not born a Christian - you must be born again. Then our true faith involves sowing consistency in our lives. This consistency manifests itself in our talk and our walk – our conversations and our conduct. This is when consistency begins to become a reality. If we are going to be a credible witness of Christ to the world… …we must not only genuinely know Him; we must also be consistent in living in a way that honours Him. Consistent in our talk. The mark of genuine Christianity is having one's conversations consistent with biblical standards and Christian beliefs. James encouraged the church to listen more than we speak. Let your life do the talking.   Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) – When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Jesus gave us this warning: Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV) – 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Genuine Christian living demands that we be cautious in our conversations and that our words are consistent with God's word and character.   James admonishes us: James 1:21 (NIV) – Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Although God chooses us and calls us to Himself, there is something for us to do. We are to take off our old coats of sin and strip away all filth. You can't keep playing in the mud when God has taken you out of it. James was writing to believers like you and me who already know Christ. Knowing and representing Jesus, we need to be consistent in our conversations as well as our conduct. James never held back to make his point. That if we are going to show the world a credible Christ then… …we must know Christ and sow consistency in our lives. Consistent in our walk. This is some of James' most famous and most repeated words. “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.”   Then comes a promise: James 1:25b -“He who is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does”. My desire is that I would rather see people “DO” one sermon than hear a hundred of them. Consistency is in the DOING not just in the HEARING. Like: How did you learn to ride a bike ? By reading a manual Watching others ride Listening to instructions about keeping your balance No! You'll never learn to ride a bike until you get on it and do it over and over. James likened the one who only hears God's word, but does not do it to… “A man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of a man he was.” His message is all too clear.  A mirror doesn't lie – it tells the truth. The Bible is like a mirror, when we look into it, we see ourselves as we really are in God's eyes. Not what we say we are or who others might think we are. Have you been looking in the mirror of the Bible lately?  Not just a passing glance. See yourself in: Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) - 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  24 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. James spoke of one who every day opens the Word and looks intently into it… The result is a “Blessed life in what he does”. E.g. We are not blessed in our stewardship and tithing by studying what the bible teaches us, but in doing it. He challenged us to: James 1:21 – Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James must have had Jesus' word in mind. Luke 11:28 (NLT) – Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” When we humbly receive God's word in our hearts, it has a supernatural way of leading us to… “Be doers of the word and not hearers only”. True faith involves not just knowing Christ but also sowing consistency between what we read and hear and our conversations and our conduct Close: 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (Amp) – And as for you, brethren, do not become weary or lose heart in doing right [but continue in well doing without weakening].  

“Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.’” (John 20:29 NLT) Jesus’ followers had seen Him turn water to wine. They’d seen Him heal the sick, the deaf, the blind, the disabled, and the demon possessed. They’d seen Him feed 5,000 people with five small loaves of bread and two fish. They’d seen Him calm a storm at sea. They’d seen Him raise Lazarus from the dead. They’d heard Him explain countless times that He had to die but that He would return. Yet it doesn’t seem to have occurred to any of them that He would rise from the dead. Mary Magdalene visited Jesus’ tomb very early on the Sunday morning after the Sabbath. Her plan was to anoint Jesus’ corpse with more spices. When she saw that the heavy stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away, she suspected that His body had been moved. She found Simon Peter and John and told them. The two disciples ran to the tomb. John, the younger one, got there first but stopped outside. Simon Peter, the bolder one, ran inside. The two of them saw Jesus’ grave clothes—but not His body. Suddenly the truth dawned on John. “He saw and believed—for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead” (verses 8b–9). The two disciples returned home without telling Mary Magdalene what they had seen. She stayed at the tomb, crying. But when she looked inside, she saw two angels sitting where Jesus’ body had been. And when she turned around, she saw what she thought was a gardener. She asked him where they had taken Jesus’ body. “Mary!” the man said in verse 16. That one word was all she needed to recognize Jesus’ voice. That evening, all but one of Jesus’ disciples met together. Only Thomas was missing. Apparently, they sensed the targets on their backs because they met behind locked doors. Suddenly the risen Jesus appeared to them. He showed them His wounds to prove that He had, in fact, died. Naturally, the disciples were overjoyed to be in His presence again. But Thomas wasn’t overjoyed when they told him about it later. For him, the news was too good to be true. “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side” (verse 25). Eight days later, the disciples met again behind locked doors. This time, Thomas was with them. Suddenly Jesus appeared again. “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’” (verse 27). He gave Thomas the evidence he needed to believe. Thomas and the other disciples had an essential ministry ahead of them. They would tell the world what they’d seen Jesus do and what they’d heard Him say so that others, who hadn’t seen or heard Him, might believe. Jesus ensured that His followers had what they needed to carry out their assignment. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” (John 17:20 NLT) Jesus and His disciples were together for about three years. There’s no telling how many times they prayed together during that time. In John 17, He prays with them for one of the last times before His arrest. There are three parts to His prayer. In verses 1–5, Jesus prays for Himself. He was facing unimaginable suffering. He was about to take the punishment for the world’s sins. He was about to experience His Father’s perfect wrath. That explains why Jesus wanted to confirm the connection between them. “Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you” (verse 1 NLT). Jesus was ready to complete God’s mission. To finish the work of salvation. To make eternal life possible. When we picture eternity, we may think of heavenly streets of gold and angels praising God. But Jesus said eternal life is “to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth” (verse 3 NLT). Jesus also revealed the primary purpose for His saving work: to glorify God. And if we follow Him, that should be our primary purpose too. The apostle Paul wrote, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT). Everything we do, from the biggest moments of our lives to the smallest daily decisions, is an opportunity to give glory to God. That’s what we were created to do. And that’s where we find genuine fulfillment and joy. In verses 6–19, Jesus prays for His disciples. Those men would face the consequences of their discipleship. All but one, John, would follow Jesus to their deaths at the hands of their enemies. But they were equipped for battle. Jesus said, “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world” (verse 18 NLT). Jesus asked God to protect them—not only from the persecution to come but also from spiritual doubt and despair. Jesus would no longer be around to encourage them and lift their spirits. He wanted to make sure they were prepared for what lay ahead. The key to spiritual well-being is joy. Jesus prayed, “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy” (verse 13 NLT). If your joy has diminished, ask God to restore it, as the psalmist did in Psalm 51:8. In Matthew 21:22, Jesus says, “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it” (NLT). God wants to ignite the spark of joy within you so that you can see the world from His perspective. In verses 20–26, Jesus prays for all believers. His chief request is that we remain unified. There’s strength in numbers. If we can trust that our fellow believers are allies, our ministry benefits. Unity is also a way of identifying believers. God wants unbelievers to see the closeness that exists among us. That can be a powerful draw for some. Our mission is to communicate God’s love to the world. Unity is one of the most powerful tools we have to accomplish it. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Kingdom Come, Pt. 4 | January 26, 2025Pastor Wes Morris Matthew 13:31-32 (NLT) Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.John 10:10 (NIV) I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.√ God loves to take things that seem insignificant and use them for His glory.√ There is power in staying planted.Psalm 92:12-14 (NIV) The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.√ Little is much when God is in it. Mark 6:35-44 (NLT) Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”But Jesus said, “You feed them.”“With what?” they asked. “We'd have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!”“How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed. MADE FOR MOREI. LET'S MEET THE NEED. Mark 6:34 (NLT) Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.II. LET'S PLAY OUR PART.I Peter 4:7-10 (NIV) The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.Acts 20:24 (NIV) I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.III. LET'S GIVE GOD THE GLORY.Psalm 115:1  (NIV) Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Bible Reading: Psalm 94:18-19; John 14:27BUZZ! Omari jumped as the timer went off. Mrs. Mary collected the tests. Omari's tummy rumbled, but this time he wasn't hungry. His mom told him that when he felt the nerve worm he should take deep breaths, so he did. But the wormy feelings returned on the bus ride home.As soon as Omari got home, he started to cry. His mom stopped preparing dinner and walked over to him. "Oh, sweetheart, what's the matter?" she asked, rubbing his back."I-it's t-the worms," cried Omari."Did you have another math test?" asked Mom."Yes, and I forgot a lot of the answers!"Mom continued to rub his back, and she pointed at their puppy. Buddy was chasing his tail. He spun in circles, then tripped and thudded to the floor. Mom giggled. "Oh, Buddy, not again."Buddy whimpered, and Mom went over to pet him. She raised an eyebrow. "Did you see what Buddy did after he fell?"Omari nodded. "He called out for help.""Right," said Mom. "Then I went over to comfort and calm him. Do you know who else notices when we're in trouble? Jesus. Our situations might cause us to feel scared or anxious, but when we call out, He hears us." Mom pulled up Isaiah 41:10 on the Bible app on her phone. "He says, 'Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.'"A soft grin appeared on Omari's face. Then he sighed. "What if I'm still nervous and forget the answers again?" "When Jesus says He will be our help, that doesn't mean He will snap His fingers and make all our problems disappear. But, just like when I calmed Buddy, God will give us peace and comfort to make it through hard times." Mom gently squeezed his hand. "And when you take your next test, remember that Jesus loves you so much that He even died on a cross to save you! He won't leave you when you have the nerve worm." She tickled his tummy, and they giggled. –Toria KeyesHow About You?Do the situations you encounter in life ever make you feel nervous or anxious? Before Jesus died to save us, He promised that He'd leave us with peace. We don't have to be troubled or afraid because He assures us that He will always be with us. No matter what your worry is, you can call on Him to give you comfort and peace. What are you worried about today? How can you remind yourself that God is there with you?Today's Key Verse:Don't be afraid, for I am with you…I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (NLT) (Jesus helps us in life's troubles)Today's Key Thought:Isaiah 41:10

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” (John 15:18 NLT) Jesus has already instructed His followers to love one another, to stay connected to Him (the true vine), and to produce fruit in the world. Now He wants us to understand that doing those things will cost us dearly. In fact, people will hate us and persecute us for them. We shouldn’t be surprised by it. We shouldn’t try to avoid it. We couldn’t if we tried anyway. There’s no safe path for followers of Christ. It’s not a matter of if the world will hate us; it’s only a matter of when. Our best strategy is to anticipate and prepare for it. But that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Hate isn’t such a big deal when it’s used to describe a reaction to cauliflower or mosquitoes. But when someone talks about hating a person, it is a big deal. And when that person is you, it’s a really big deal. But our relationship with Christ is an infinitely bigger deal. And if hatred is the result, it’s a small price to pay. Especially when we consider what Jesus sacrificed for us. The world’s hatred shows itself in different ways. Maybe you’ve been mocked by friends because you no longer join them in certain activities. Maybe you’ve been the target of online attacks accusing you of intolerance. Maybe you’ve had your job threatened because you refused to compromise your beliefs. The aim is to silence us—or at least quiet us. To marginalize us. To make us look like radical extremists. To get us to compromise—to meet our enemies halfway. But we can’t do that. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless” (Matthew 5:13 NLT). Ultimately, the enemies of our faith don’t hate us for our political affiliation or our stand on social issues. They hate us because we follow Christ. And they hate Him. So there’s something to celebrate in being hated. It means people identify us with Christ. They see Him in us. It tells us we’re doing something right. Jesus does more than warn us about being hated. He promises that the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, will face down the hatred with us, giving us strength and reminding us how loved we really are. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of truth” (verse 26 NLT). The Spirit helps us recognize the lies of the world. He reminds us that if we follow Christ, we’re right, and our enemies are wrong. He reminds us that the alternative to the world’s hate is much worse than the hate itself. The alternative is compromising or abandoning our relationship with Christ. Persevering through the hate is a much better option. The hatred of the world is a good barometer of our spiritual well-being. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT) Jesus wanted His disciples to know that even though He was leaving them, their connection would never be cut. The image He used is a vine and its branches. Jesus is the true vine. His followers are the branches. You don’t have to be a master gardener to know that the branches of a vine can’t survive and thrive unless they’re connected to the vine. And we can’t survive and thrive spiritually unless we stay connected to Jesus. He gives us the spiritual nourishment we need to produce good fruit in our lives. Not all fruit is good. Jesus made that clear in His confrontations with the Jewish religious leaders. These respected men appeared to live very fruitful lives. They worked hard to seem pious. They built their reputations on fulfilling the smallest details of the law. They guarded religious traditions and attacked anyone who challenged their authority. What appeared to be fruit in their lives, however, was rotten. It wasn’t nourished by the true vine. Jesus said, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’” (Matthew 15:7–8 NLT). The religious leaders wanted people to think that they were close to God, but their hearts were disconnected from Him. Somewhere along the way, they became more concerned about looking like they were producing spiritual fruit than actually producing it. What they didn’t realize is that we can’t grow spiritual fruit on our own. All we can do is stay connected to the true vine. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me” (verse 4 NLT). Spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, quiet times, and sharing our faith keep us connected to Jesus. If we make them part of our daily routine, we will see spiritual fruit grow. An amazing thing happens when we start to bear spiritual fruit. Jesus said, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more” (verses 1–2 NLT). God created us. He knows what we’re capable of producing. He can see the areas where we’re blossoming. And He can see the areas where growth and yield aren’t happening. If we stay connected to Jesus, the true vine, God will help us cut away the unproductive areas of our lives, the things that keep us from producing even more fruit. God, the Master Gardener, will help us increase our spiritual yield. That, in turn, will draw us closer to Jesus. And the cycle continues. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!’” (John 12:12–13 NLT) Jesus returned to Bethany to attend a supper celebrating the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. But even as Jesus and His friends celebrated life, the specter of death hung in the air, although Jesus was the only one who realized it. John tells us the supper took place six days before the Passover. In other words, about a week before Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus knew full well what awaited Him in Jerusalem. He was always aware of God’s timetable for Him. For years, He had said, “My time has not yet come.” But now His time had come. Unimaginable agony awaited Him. Still, He took the time to celebrate with His friends, just as He had mourned with them when Lazarus died. During the supper, Lazarus’ sister Mary presented Jesus with an extraordinary gift and act of humble service. In the culture of that time, it was customary for hosts to wash the feet of their guests with water and anoint them with a drop of scented oil. Mary took that custom to the next level. She used a 12-ounce jar of very expensive perfume to wash Jesus’ feet. (By one estimate, the cost of that 12-ounce jar of perfume was equal to a year’s salary.) After she washed his feet, she let down her hair, something Jewish women of that era rarely did in public. She then used her hair to dry Jesus’ feet. She sacrificed her possessions and her pride to honor Jesus. Her act of service and humility left everyone in the room stunned. And left the room smelling amazing, no doubt. But the stunned silence didn’t last long. Judas Iscariot—the disciple who was about to betray Jesus—complained that Mary should have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. But don’t get the wrong idea about him. He didn’t care about the poor. He served as treasurer for Jesus and the disciples. He managed the money donated by Jesus’ supporters. He also was a thief who skimmed coins from the treasury. He was probably upset that he didn’t have a chance to “broker” the exchange of funds between Mary and the poor. Jesus was quick to defend Mary. “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” (verses 7–8 NLT). He accepted her humble sacrifice in the spirit in which she intended it. Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, the chief priests were plotting to kill not just Jesus but Lazarus too. Many of them were Sadducees, who taught that there was no resurrection. Lazarus’ return to life was an embarrassment to them, and they wanted to eliminate the evidence of it. When Jesus set out for Jerusalem, news of His coming spread fast. Just as His enemies had feared, people wanted to see the One who had power over death. Crowds lined the streets and waved palm branches because they believed they were welcoming their king. Finally, they had a Messiah who would lead a revolt against Rome. Or so they thought. In that sense, they were like people today who embrace Jesus when they think He can advance their agenda. These people use the parts of His message that coincide with their own aims and conveniently ignore the rest. But when those crowds who welcomed Him into Jerusalem learned once and for all what His agenda really involved—and what He really expected from His followers—they didn’t just abandon Him. They angrily demanded His execution. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor David MorrisonLuke 9:23 (NLT)- Jesus had predicted His death, the torture that He would face, that He would be raised to life again.- You can follow Me, but it requires giving up one's way, taking up one's cross daily, and following Me."When we said yes to Jesus, we said yes to a lifelong process of becoming His disciples." - Craig Groeschel.To follow Jesus is a mindset shift, to follow His path, not my own. My best definition of the Greek for follow is"To accompany, like on a road or journey."Give Up Your Own Way. - Jesus.Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)- We base our relationship with God on our human relationships, thinking I only have value if there is something I can contribute.- To follow Jesus doesn't require doing as the primary driver; it needs something different: surrender: God, not my ways, but Your ways. If I follow Jesus, His way matters. I aim to become like Him, so I surrender my way of doing things. Take Up Your Cross Daily - Jesus.Galatians 2:20 (NLT)- Saying Yes to becoming like Jesus is saying no to my sinful nature.... saying no to my flesh and my heart will often lead me astray.- To say ‘yes' to Jesus, I must say ‘no' to my life and ‘no' to my ways. My plans involve coming with a blank canvas, an open heart, and Jesus says, “Follow me.”Follow Me - Jesus- Do what I do. Let's do life together and watch how I work and live. These weren't checklist things for Him; they were life-giving moments in His relationship with God. I remember asking her to marry me; thank God she said yes. Even though I didn't know what lay ahead for us or what it meant, I'm so glad I did. The same is true when we say yes to Jesus. We may not fully grasp the magnitude of the moment…but I want to encourage you, as a sermon a few months back said: Say ‘yes' one step and one day at a time. Say ‘no' to the other stuff one step, one day at a time. Our mission statement is helping people take their next steps toward Jesus Christ together.But it's a journey.The cool thing about Jesus is that He always takes the first step: He is pursuing our hearts and says follow Me, I would like to spend time with you.

“Then he said, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.’” (John 11:11 NLT) Jesus left Judea because the Jewish religious leaders there were plotting to kill Him. He wasn’t afraid of death; He just knew that the time for it had not yet come. Then He got a message that prompted Him to return. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were siblings who lived in the Judean village of Bethany. All three were followers and friends of Jesus. When Lazarus got sick, Mary and Martha sent word to the Lord. That set the stage for one of Jesus’ most remarkable miracles: raising Lazarus from the dead. There are three takeaways from the story that are as important today as they were 2,000 ago. First, the Lord’s timing is perfect. Jesus could have rushed to Bethany and saved Lazarus on his deathbed. But the impact wouldn’t have been nearly as great. So Jesus waited. And neither His disciples nor Mary and Martha could understand why. The right thing to do—and the right time to do it—seemed obvious to them. But they couldn’t see the big picture. That’s why it’s important for us to pray for God to work in His way and in His time. Second, Jesus empathizes with us. Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus “faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (NLT). He also experienced all the same emotions we do. He laughed. He celebrated. He got angry. And He cried. He knew better than anyone else how Lazarus’ story was going to end. But when He saw the people mourning, He joined them. He hurt because others hurt. That’s why He’s able to comfort us so effectively. He knows not only how we feel but also how our story will end. He knows when our tears will dry and what good will ultimately come from the situation. And He gives us the opportunity to show the same kind of empathy and love to other hurting people. Third, nothing is beyond the Lord’s power. Martha and Mary each showed a strong faith in Jesus. Both said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died” (verses 21, 32 NLT). But in their words, they also limited the scope of what they believed Jesus could accomplish. Yes, He had the power to heal Lazarus’ sickness. And yes, He had the power to raise Lazarus in the next life. But it didn’t occur to them that He could still raise Lazarus in this life. Lazarus’ walk out of the tomb opened a world of possibilities for everyone who trusts Jesus. If He can give life to a corpse after four days, He can change the most stubborn mind. He can soften the hardest heart. He can cure spiritual darkness. He can reconcile the most unlikely people. He can ease the most intense fears. He can heal the most distraught mourners. He can bring something good from the worst circumstances. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“‘I don’t know whether he is a sinner,’ the man replied. ‘But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!’” (John 9:25 NLT) Jesus and His disciples encountered a man who had been blind his entire life. The disciples asked the Lord, “Why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” (verse 2 NLT). That may seem like an odd question about someone who had been blind since birth. But some Jewish people believed that it was possible for unborn babies to sin in the womb. Whatever prompted their question, for the disciples, the man’s blindness was an abstract theological puzzle. They had no real compassion for him. They lacked humility, empathy, and concern. Jesus did not. He explained that the man’s blindness wasn’t the result of his or his parents’ sin. In fact, the man’s blindness gave God an opportunity to work in his life in a way that sighted people would never experience. The apostle Paul makes a similar point in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul had some kind of disability or affliction that hindered his work. He called it a “thorn in my flesh.” Three times he asked God to remove it from him. And three times God said no. “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). Our flaws and weaknesses can bring us closer to God if we look at them from the right perspective. They remind us that we need Him. They encourage us to depend on Him. Jesus showed the power of God in the man’s life in a hands-on way. The man’s blindness wasn’t an abstract theological concept to Him. He spit on the ground, made mud with His saliva, and rubbed it on the man’s eyes. He told him to wash off the mud in the pool of Siloam. And when the man did, he could see! The Light of the world led the man out of his literal darkness. You can probably guess on which day of the week the healing occurred: the Sabbath. When the Jewish leaders heard about it, they were—again—outraged. How dare Jesus ignore their religious rules to change someone’s life forever by giving him the ability to see for the first time! Some Pharisees argued that Jesus couldn’t possibly have been sent by God because He worked on the Sabbath. (The man may have been healed of his physical blindness, but their spiritual blindness was still a huge obstacle.) Other Pharisees rightly argued that an ordinary sinner couldn’t perform such a miraculous healing. Things got so absurd that the religious leaders sent for the man’s parents and tried to get them to admit that their son hadn’t been blind at all. The parents carefully avoided the matter. They had been told that anyone who even suggested that Jesus was the Messiah would be kicked out of the synagogue. So the leaders again sent for the formerly blind man. They tried to get him to admit that he’d been healed by an ordinary sinner and not the Messiah. “If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it,” the man replied in verse 33 (NLT). The outraged religious leaders threw him out of the synagogue. Their unwillingness to see Jesus for who He really was clouded their judgment in practically every other area of their lives. They couldn’t see—or admit—the obvious. Their pride kept them in spiritual darkness. They had no interest in the light. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well hey there, hello and a very warm welcome to this episode.  No need to dilly-dally or make small talk…let's just jump right in and talk about God's promises.         Link to the devotional mentioned in this episode     Link to the free No More Worrying digital download mentioned in this episode   You're listening to The Burt (Not Ernie) Show podcast, which can be found wherever you listen to podcasts, as well as on the Edifi app, a unique podcast app featuring Christian content only. That's EDIFI, available in the app store. This is episode number 202. The Promise of a New Year - God's Promises for You.   New year, new you? Ever heard that phrase? How does that usually work for ya? Dive into a new year, do the prep for whatever needs prepping in order to make the new you a reality. Plan it, map it out, might even pray over it. This time! This time, for sure!  Sound familiar?  Let me ask again, how does that usually work out for you?   It works so well for (can you hear my sarcasm) that I have decided not to do that anymore. New year, same God, not going to fixate on a new and improve me. He can mold me, shape me, make me again another as it says in Jeremiah 18:4, do His sanctifying work in me for His glory and His purposes and I've decided that's enough for me. More than enough, because thus far has the Lord helped me, declaring my Ebenezer (not like A Christmas Carol, but like 1 Samuel 7:12 and the hymn “Come Thou Fount” which holds the line, “Here I raise my Ebenezer”. A far, far better way to start a new calendar year, in my opinion. I gain so much peace, I bend the knee and bend my will to God, I can rest in Him and also be expectant of all He will do in the coming weeks and months. As John the Baptist said, “I must decrease and He must increase.” Yes, please. This usually (or always) works well for me, whereas new year, new me…not so much.   The title of episode number 202 is “The Promise of  New Year - God's Promises for You” because there is so much promise in every new season when we walk out said season with the Lord. A new calendar on the wall counts as a new season, and the promises I'm about to share today fit this new season. As always, these promises are God's promises, taken directly from the Bible, and they are for you, my friend. Y.O.U.   Psalm 125, verses 1 and 2, from the NLT:   Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forever.   Now of course this psalm, which is a psalm of ascent, has to do with Israel and her people. No doubt about that. And it also is an encouragement for us, not as Jewish people, but as Christ followers. 2 Timothy 3:16 says all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, reproof, instruction, correction. Knowing what Scripture says matters, and that's why Psalm 125 matters for you right here in this season.  In  Zechariah 14:4-11, Revelation 19:11-16 and Revelation 20:1-6, we read about the Messiah, Jesus, standing on Mount Zion when He returns the second time. So when Psalm 125 says that those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion, well that's pretty secure, I'd say. If that is the place where Jesus' feet will land, where He will stand, it's an iron-clad guarantee that Mount Zion is going to be there right til the very end… If we trust in the Lord, we're secure like Mount Zion is secure. This is an amazing promise. It's an immovable promise. They will not be defeated, but will endure forever. God surrounds you like those mountains surround Jerusalem, both now and forever. Huge, huge promise. If the only promise I shared with you today was this one, it would be more than enough for the entire year. Isn't God good? What a promise! You are as secure as that mount on which Jesus will stand at His return, and I do not know what more could be said to ensure that you trust God and know this promised security is yours. Amen?   John 14:1 from the NLT says: “Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.” This is Jesus speaking.  We all have things that trouble our hearts, and the things that fall into that category, the heart troubling category, well those aren't the small things that get in our craw, that annoy us, the little irksome frustrations. No, anything we describe as heart troubling, well, that's the real hard stuff in life. We can't just brush it off, ignore it, say a quick prayer and have it dissipate, talk ourselves out of it, or anything like that. And Jesus says to you and to me about those things that are the big, hard things, He says, “Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God (as it says in Psalm 125 verse 1) and trust also in Me.” Do you trust in God? Do you trust Jesus? Your answer is probably, “YES”. Do you trust Him with the things that give you a troubled heart? Do you trust Him in the midst of those things, in spite of things, trusting and trusting again and again, until your faith becomes sight, until you have the peace that passes all understanding, perfect peace as it says in Isaiah? This year, trust Him like that. Trust Him more fully, more completely, with more abandonment and more certainty that He's got you, you are so secure in Him, more than you ever have before. Because He keeps all His promises, nobody is more trustworthy than our God, and perhaps no one's trustworthiness has been questioned more than our God. Let's not be among those who question Him, not today, not this time. Let's choose, let's opt in, to not let our hearts be troubled, but to trust God, to trust Jesus.    Let's ponder God's utter faithfulness for a moment, because it's worth the reminder…when we are so dug in, all in, certain of who our God is and of His absolute inability to be anything but perfectly faithful and a perfect promise keeper, well then we believe all of His promises on a better, deeper level. Malachi 3:6 from the CSB says, “Because I, the LORD, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.” The Lord does not change. He doesn't! But sometimes the lack of belief we exhibit reveals that we think it's somehow okay to act like He does change, like He might change this time, He might do us dirty. We're fickle, we're selfish, we're mercurial, and we're not often the least be ashamed by that.  James 1:17 also from the CSB, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  Just to reiterate the truth that God does not change, has never changed, will never change, it just is not going to happen so let's go all in and believe what He has promised in the Bible.  John 8:12, NLT - Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”  Want to be challenged and encouraged and bolstered and blown away by Jesus' words and promises? Read John chapter 8. That'll do it! Feel like you need to expand the boundaries of your faith in the Lord? Read John 8 and oh those boundaries will sure enough expand! In a good way, in the best way.    We don't have to walk in darkness. There are no areas of life that don't fall under this promise. So when we walk in darkness, maybe we're forgetting this promise. Maybe we are in a place of unbelief for whatever reason. Maybe we just need to be reminded that Jesus IS, present tense, right now He is the light of the world - He is the light of your world right now. You don't have to walk in darkness, in confusion, with a clouded mind, because you have the mind of Christ 1 Corinthians 2:16 promises. You have the light that leads to life. Don't overanalyze, don't think yourself out of believing it, just opt in and agree that what Jesus said in John 8:12 is true, and is true for you. Right now. No matter what. It's a true promise for you today.   Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT, say - Trust in the LORD with all your heart (with some of your heart? Most of your heart? Or all of your heart? We need regular heart check ups to make sure our trust level is aligned with this verse) Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding (Do Not! When mom or dad says do not do that, well, the wise child listens and even the ornery child usually listens because a stern “Do not do that” warning from a parent…that gets your ears perked up. This is God, your Father, saying Do Not…and we think little to nothing about doing exactly what He says not to do. Let's read again and keep that do not directive in mind). Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do (in most of what you do? Nope - in all you do) and He will show you which path to take.   Wondering which direction to go? Then seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take. We don't just want these promises to be fulfilled in our lives, we NEED them to be fulfilled. And when we see something we've been missing, let's make those adjustments and get on board with the Lord. The Good Shepherd leads His sheep well, and we're safe when we listen to Him and not to any other voices. So, let's listen up and heed His words.   Have you seen the animated film Over the Hedge? In one scene, the character R.J. says to another character, Hammie (and Hammie is sort of spacey, not all there, and Hammie is trying to eat a cookie that is broken in two and being held together with a band aid…kind of gross, right? Well, that's us sometimes.) RJ says, “You don't want that cookie, Hammie. That cookie's junk.” What band aid cookie are you trying for and where is God saying, No, that's junk? Trust in Him with all your heart, and do not depend on your own band-aid cookie version of understanding. He has better for you than you might have for yourself. You don't want that cookie, my friend, because that cookie is junk.   Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT - The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.   Did you hear that?  His word will never return to Him void. It always produces fruit, always accomplishes what He wants it to, and will always prosper everywhere He sends it. Today, via this podcast, He is sending it to you and it will not return to Him void or empty or ineffective. It works. It can't not work. It's His word, and it does as He wishes. That's the truth, right there. Believe it. (And this verse says will…it will accomplish all He wants it to and it will prosper everywhere He sends it. Will means WILL! My devotional The Power of God's WILL - 40 Days of God's Promises is all about this exact thing and you can find that on Amazon).    The last few weeks God has been laying on my heart the need to daily crucify my flesh. Now listen, I do not claim to be a prophet, and so maybe this is just for me personally, but I have a sense that I, and other disciples of Jesus, are going to need to be Spirit led, Spirit dependent, on a whole new level in the coming months. I really think that's true. We might go through hard times, we may be tempted with prosperity (and that's often harder to walk through and stay close to the Lord than poverty, truth be told). Crucifying my flesh keeps me close to the Lord. The flesh, well, it isn't going with me into eternity and so it is in its last days, so to speak, it's getting near its deathbed and it's temperamental, it's demanding, it's a brat. So as I seek to do as the Lord has put on my heart to do in my own life, Romans 8 verses five and six are what I've been pondering. These are the verses I'll leave you with today. From the NLT - Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.  The flesh makes me want to make a snarky comment when I get my feelings hurt. Crucify that, Jan. My flesh gets annoyed when my coffee maker goes kaput during blizzard weather and I want to be able to go get a coffee since I can't make any coffee but I can't cuz there's half an inch of ice on my car and the driveway is a disaster and I can't get out. Crucify that, Jan. So crucifying the flesh doesn't always look like those huge and terrible sins that come to mind. It can be a bad attitude. Or maybe that's just me. Either way, these verses remind us that our life belongs to Jesus now. And we can both believe all His promises to us and crucify our pesky flesh at the same time.    Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I have something free for ya today. If you ever struggle with worry, this is for you. It's a digital download, a pdf, with 40 Bible passages that will combat worry in your life, and the way you utilize it is super simple. For 40 days, you just write Do Not Worry at the top of your daily to-do list (or set it as a reminder in your phone that will ping each morning). You read the verse or verses for that day, while bearing in mind that for the next forty days, just for forty days, you will not worry. You'll hand those worries to God, and they're not your burden to bear for forty days. Doesn't mean you quit your job and run up the credit cards because Jan said so… that's not at all what Jan said. You keep on living your life, but when you catch yourself worrying about something, about anything, you remind yourself that for forty days, you won't give in to worry. You'll lay that worry, that concern, at the feet of Jesus whenever it crops up, and you keep moving on without the stress of worrying. Do it for forty days. Seriously, this is a really great faith grower. Grab yours for free at JanLBurt . com     I hope you do that as this new year begins. Lord bless you, thanks for listening. I'll see you next time. Bye bye   The Power of God's Will: 40 Days of God's Promises Devotional: Burt, Jan L.: 9798573528939: Amazon.com: Books JanLBurt.com Home Page

“But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.” (John 5:36 NLT) Jesus returned to Jerusalem to observe the holy days at the temple. While He was there, He passed the pool of Bethesda, a place of hope and despair. The waters of the pool seem to have had a healing effect. Many people believed that an angel occasionally came down to stir the waters. And the first person who entered the pool after the waters had been stirred would be cured of their ailment. That explains why crowds of sick, blind, disabled, and paralyzed people gathered on the five porches that surrounded the pool. They each hoped for a miraculous healing. One man had been disabled for 38 years. But since he had no one to help him into the water, he had no hope for healing. Or so he thought. With one sentence in verse 8—“Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (NLT)—Jesus changed his life forever. The man was healed instantly. He picked up his mat and walked away. Only to be busted moments later by the Jewish religious leaders. It turns out that the healing had taken place on the Sabbath. And in Jewish culture, there were all kinds of rules about what people could and couldn’t do on the Sabbath. So when the religious leaders saw this man who had been disabled for four decades suddenly walking, the first thing they wanted to know was . . . why he was carrying a mat on the Sabbath. And when the man identified Jesus as the One who had healed him, the Sabbath police went after Him. They didn’t express awe over Jesus’ healing power. They didn’t praise Him for His compassion and concern. Instead, they harassed Him for breaking their Sabbath rules. These hypocritical religious leaders, with their misplaced priorities, were so concerned about Jesus’ growing influence that they started looking for reasons to have Him put to death. Jesus gave them everything they needed and more. He referred to God as “My Father,” which was the same as calling Himself equal with God. He pointed out that everything He said and did had God’s blessing. That meant His words were God’s truth. He claimed the power of judgment over everyone. He made it clear that anyone who didn’t honor Him—including the Sabbath-obsessed religious leaders—didn’t honor God, who sent Him. Jesus told them that the power of eternal life rested with Him. And that He was carrying out the will of His Father. So anyone who opposed Him opposed God’s will. He reminded the religious leaders that they had taken John the Baptist seriously—and John the Baptist’s entire ministry was built on testifying that Jesus was the Son of God. And then He pointed out that the religious leaders revered Moses and his —and Moses had written about Him (Jesus) centuries before. The truth that Jesus’ enemies couldn’t wrap their heads around still gives us assurance and confidence today: Every reliable witness testifies that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest Partner Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

December 08 2024 Sunday Week 32 / Your Place In Him / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons… “but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 KJV “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”” John 4:14 NLT “But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.” John 4:14 AMPC “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40 KJV “For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”” John 6:40 NLT “For this is My Father's will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.” John 6:40 AMPC “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 KJV “The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12 KJV ““I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” John 14:12 NLT “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.” John 14:12 AMPC “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23 KJV “Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” John 14:23 NLT “Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.” John 14:23 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

December 01 2024 Sunday Week 31 / Your Place In Him / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons… “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20 KJV “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT “Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).” Matthew 28:18-20 AMPC “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Mark 1:8 KJV “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”” Mark 1:8 NLT “I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:8 AMPC “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23 KJV ““What do you mean, ‘If I can'?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”” Mark 9:23 NLT “And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes!” Mark 9:23 AMPC “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:23-24 KJV “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.” Mark 11:23-24 NLT “Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].” Mark 11:23-24 AMPC “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 KJV “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” Luke 10:19 NLT “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.” Luke 10:19 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

Feels Like Home-pt 3 The Power of Mission Jesus said, “…GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19, 20 NLT “Jesus traveled through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News…”  Matthew 9:35 NLT “…the believers who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the Good News about Jesus.” Acts 8:4 NLT “But how can they call on Him (Jesus) to save them unless they believe in Him?  And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him?  And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is what the scriptures mean when they say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.'”   Romans 10:14, 15 NLT STORY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN Luke 10: 30-35 NLT HOW TO BE MISSIONARY Your Mission Begins in Your Heart “he felt deep pity”  Luke 10:33 NLT   “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.  It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16 NLT “So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ.” Colossians 1:28 NLT Your Mission is to Do What You Can “Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.”  Luke 10:34 NLT THREE PHILOSOPHIES OF LIFE: The robber's: What's yours is mine and I'll take it The traveler's: What's mine is mine and I'll keep it The Samaritan's: What's mine is yours and I'll give it Your Mission Outcome Multiplies With Partners

November 03 2024 Sunday Week 27 / Your Place In Him / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons… “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 KJV “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.” Colossians 3:1 NLT “IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Ps. 110:1.]” Colossians 3:1 AMPC “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 KJV “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:3-4 KJV “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” Colossians 3:3-4 NLT “For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.” Colossians 3:3-4 AMPC “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” 2 Timothy 2:11-12 KJV “This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.” 2 Timothy 2:11-12 NLT “The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us.” 2 Timothy 2:11-12 AMPC “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” John 6:57 KJV “I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.” John 6:57 NLT “Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me.” John 6:57 AMPC “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 KJV “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NLT “Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” John 14:6 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.” (Matthew 24:9–10 NLT) Jesus' words in Matthew 24 were in response to a question His disciples asked in verse 3: “What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (NLT). Think they were sorry they asked? The disciples faced intense persecution for sharing Jesus' message with the world. All but one of them, John, died a martyr's death. But the persecution didn't stop with them. And it didn't end in the first century. Some scholars estimate that more Christians were killed in the twentieth century than in all previous centuries combined. Christians have been persecuted more than any other religious group. And it's not just confined to atheistic or Islamic countries. We're starting to see more and more persecution in the United States. We see it in the woke ideology that has infiltrated our education system. We see it permeating the military. We see it being spread by the media. I describe it as an “ABC culture”: Anything But Christ. When you stand up and say, “I'm a Christian,” you can expect pushback, resistance, and even persecution. Paul said, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 NLT). That's a promise of God we rarely claim. Yet Jesus said the closer we get to the time of His coming, the more His people will be persecuted. So how should we respond? First, remember that it's not us people hate; it's Jesus. And if people see Jesus when they look at us, it means we're doing something right. Second, consider the times. Jesus said persecution will intensify as we draw closer and closer to the time of His return. If you notice an uptick in the mistreatment of believers, look up. Don't get discouraged. Remind yourself that something amazing is on the way. Our suffering is temporary; our glorious reward for faithfulness is eternal. Third, pray for believers who are facing persecution. Ask God to give them the strength and endurance to persevere. Ask Him to help persecuted Christians remain faithful in their mission and not abandon their faith. Staying strong in the midst of persecution is one of the most powerful testimonies a Christian can offer. It says to unbelievers, “Here's something worth suffering for. Here's something more important than my life.” So as persecution increases in the last days, so do the opportunities to impact other people's lives with our response. The challenge of Christians is to look beyond our own suffering and persecution to see the good that God is bringing from it in the lives of others. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.  John 13:1–5 (NLT) Jesus showed his love to the END  because there is no END to his love. MAKE AN IMPACT We are called to be spiritual CONTRIBUTORS,  not spiritual CONSUMERS.  SEE a need MEET a need. BOTTOM LINE:  It's IMPOSSIBLE to love Jesus and not SERVE people. THE CHALLENGE:  Meet a NEED this week.

What is truth? How can we know what's true and what isn't? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares about something really important: the truth.  John 18:37-38a "... 'What is truth?' Pilate asked."Nothing has changed in 2000 years. There is an all-out attack on the truth, and that means there is an all-out attack on Jesus.John 14:6 NLT Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..."Truth is not a concept, it's a person. You can understand facts, but you won't understand their meaning until you get to know the source of truth: Jesus.John 8:31-32 NLT "... you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Conversely, the main weapon of the devil is lies and deception.John 8:43-45 Two current issues in our modern culture we need to talk about regarding truth:AI, or Artificial intelligence, is technology that mimics human intelligence.Because of AI you are going to have to require a higher standard from yourself regarding what's true. The more you want something false to be true, the more likely you are to believe false information.Psalm 86:11 If your heart is not pure, your discernment will be off. Social MediaWhy is social media suspect?1. It gives unequal opinions an equal platform.2. It's not all real.Social Media tempts you to sacrifice what's real for what's rehearsed, and to sacrifice what you need to hear for what you want to hear.3. It's immediate communication.Proverbs 18:2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.Before you post, forward, or share, ask yourself—is this true or do I just want this to be true? Is this from a trustworthy source? Does this reveal the Jesus—the way, the truth, the life, or Satan—the father of lies? How do we protect ourselves against deception?1. Opt out of offense.Matthew 24:10-11 An offended heart is susceptible to deception. Offense opens your heart to deceit.You want to see what you already believe. You want to hear what you already think.As Christians, our goal is not to just make a point, but to make a difference. 2. Limit your exposure to deception.1 Corinthians 11:3 Eve should have said, "Sorry, I don't talk to snakes." You can't be deceived, if you never hear the deception. Current culture is a current that is trying to sweep you into a way of thinking. The key to changing what you're full of is to change what you feed on. 3. Practice God's presence and stay in scripture.John 17:17 NIV "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."Become so intimately acquainted with the truth, that you'll be able to immediately spot what's a lie. Are you guarding against deception and protecting the truth?

"Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race." – William E. Gladstone   "Almost every sinful action ever committed can be traced back to a selfish motive. It is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves." – Stephen Kendrick   "The most miserable people are those who care only about themselves, understand only their own troubles, and see only their own perspective." – Anonymous   'Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.” Isaiah 39:8 NLT   'For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:16 NLT   Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 NLT   Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NLT   'But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NLT   And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18 NLT   You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Ephesians 2:19 NLT   'Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5 NLT   HOW IS A SPIRITUAL FAMILY BUILT?   1. THROUGH CONNECTION   THE DEEPER YOU CONNECT WITH PEOPLE THE MORE EMPATHY IS FORMED IN YOUR HEART. THE MORE DISCONNECTED YOU BECOME THE HARDER YOUR HEART BECOMES.    …whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. Proverbs 28:14 NIV   THE DEEPER YOUR EMPATHY THE HEALTHIER THE RELATIONSHIPS   THE DEEPER YOUR EMPATHY THE GREATER YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH   HOW IS A SPIRITUAL FAMILY BUILT?   1. THROUGH CONNECTION 2. THROUGH COMMITMENT    …we all belong to each other. Romans 12:5 NLT 'Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 NLT   HOW IS A SPIRITUAL FAMILY BUILT?   1. THROUGH CONNECTION 2. THROUGH COMMITMENT 3. THROUGH CONTRIBUTION   “THE WORK OF OUR LIVES IS TO GO FROM THIS DEPENDENCE TO DEPENDABILITY.” -RYAN HOLIDAY   THE BIGGER OUR CIRCLE GETS, THE BIGGER OUR HEART GETS, AND THE BETTER THE WORLD BECOMES.   'After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher' and ‘Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:12-17 NLT   'For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'' Matthew 25:35-40 NLT   'No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:12 NLT   'For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT

Parables // Object on Road Ahead, Do Not Avoid Luke 10:25-29 (NLT)“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”Jesus replied, ‘What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?'The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'‘Right!' Jesus told him. ‘Do this and you will live!'The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?'” Luke 10:30–37 (NLT)“Jesus replied with a story: A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.'‘Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?' Jesus asked.The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.'Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.'”The priest and the assistant. Luke 10:31 (NLT)“he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by”Luke 10:32 (NLT)“A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.” Opportunity lost due to personal inconvenience. The Samaritan. Luke 10:33 (NLT)“when he saw the man, he felt compassion”

A sermon by Pastor Scott Crowder on the 7th Sunday after Pentecost Easter, Year B in the Christian Calendar and Revised Common Lectionary.  Mark 6:1-13 (NLT) "Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He's just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler's bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes. “Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil."

Pastor John Keating This sermon is interesting because He talks about a lot of things. He covers topics like: - Attitude - Role of the Law - Divorce & Remarriage - Poor Relationships - Worry - Prayer - Fasting - Judging Others - Discernment Matthew 5:13-20 (NLT) Salt has 14,000 uses today. Such as: - Salt was used in Jesus' day as a trading commodity, it would be as valuable as currency in exchange for purchases/transactions. - So, Jesus says for us to be SALT, we should have value and many uses for others… - SALT is essential to life, if deprived of SALT your body will dehydrate & die. If you take SALT away, then society will die. - SALT is SEASONING - Salt enhances and pulls out the flavor of food... - God has positioned you to be SALT and it brings out the good God has placed in others around you. Society is consumed with influencers! Who has the: - Largest following - Likes & Shares - Subscribers The greatest influencer of all time was Jesus Christ and the greatest following is evident in His church! Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) - Jesus says you are the light of the world. This is present tense, meaning right now! The Greek word for light is "Phose", where we get the word photograph. You are supposed to be a photo of Jesus. Light does two things: it reveals truth and exposes darkness. - Here He says you are the light of the world. Now the source of light doesn't come from us, that's a new-age misconception. We reflect Jesus' light to the world. - We fail to reflect the light because our life is not focused on the son... WE MUST BE SEPARATE CHURCH from the WORLD, in the world but not of the world... Matthew 5:17-20 (NLT) Righteousness means right standing with God...how are you in your standing today with God? - Are you a seasoned Christian that has lost its saltiness? - Has the world eclipsed your reflection of Christ? - Are you in the right relationship with God today to have hope for Heaven? - Are you desperate enough as Bridget for the light of Christ to fill your home?

Pastor Mark Fuller When you're not sure what God's will is; listen to the world's counsel, then do the opposite. Matthew 5:9-10 (NLT) - Peacemaking is hard, unappreciated, and often seemingly unproductive work. But Jesus says it is what identifies us as God's kids. Keys to Peacemaking: - Be at Peace with God and Yourself - Job 22:21 (NLT) - Listen More Than You Talk - James 1:19 (NLT) - It's hard to be a good listener because of how emotionally charged issues have become. We feel threatened when we encounter opposing views or ways of thinking that we don't agree with. By holding space for someone else's ideas, even when they differ from your own, you'll begin building bridges to the path of peace rather than burning them down. - Be Genuinely Interested In Other People - Philippians 2:4 (NLT) - Become interested in other people's ideas, even ideas you strongly disagree with. Seek to understand their positions so well that you can repeat them concisely and convincingly. You don't have to agree with people for them to feel heard. The peacemaker understands this and uses it to help them build relationships and trust. - Don't Be Afraid of Conflict - Conflict is not a bad thing. Responding to conflict in the right way can produce great unity. When we try to avoid conflict at all costs, we only exacerbate the problem. So many conflicts are caused by unsuccessful attempts at preventing conflict. Conflict is not an obstacle to peace, it's the wrong kind of conflict that can lead to damaged relationships. - Ephesians 4:14-15 (NLT) - If you want to be a peacemaker, you must be willing to state your position clearly and unambiguously and allow others to do the same. - Even if you endure the discomfort from conflict in the short term, you can ultimately create conditions that will lay the foundation for peace. - Respond Rather Than React - When we're reactive, we're in a state of constant fight or flight mode. Responding means creating the space within ourselves that removes the false immediacy of needing to say or do something right now. When we decide how to respond, we choose how we want to show up in the world in a way that is empowering and builds up everyone involved. - Stay Humble and Teachable - James 4:6 (NLT) - Peacemaking is hard work. You will always find opportunities to mess up. And others will too. Knowing this ahead of time can allow you to be more understanding and forgiving when something goes wrong. - Matthew 5:10 (NLT) - Jesus knew that in this fallen world, persecution would be the response when we work to make peace. This fallen world system often crucifies peacemakers. - If you've felt wronged, stepped on, or worse, don't wait for others to apologize. Choose an attitude of preemptive forgiveness. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. Ask for forgiveness. We all need constant and copious amounts of God's grace. The good news is, that it is in abundant supply because of Christ's sacrifice on our behalf. - Be at Peace with God and Yourself - Moved from resignation, to acceptance, and now beginning to discover the peace that from embracing this season. That is when the blessing came, and I am discovering fruitfulness in this challenging season. - Job 22:21 (NLT) - Submitting to God means to surrender. It's one of our main values here at the Naz. It means surrendering your rights and control over your life. - The world identifies surrender with words like defeat, failure, and bondage. But this is the amazing reality about Jesus' upside-down kingdom. - When you surrender to Him, you discover just the opposite: victory, purpose, and freedom. I'm talking about a glad surrender, not a resignation type of surrender. It is a confident “embracing" of His permissive will, whatever it brings because you are convinced of His goodness and love. That's the place of real peace. And that's the place of real blessing.

Welcome back! On todays show we are talking all about spiritual discipline and the importance of truly knowing God's character. Love the show? Make sure to leave us a 5-star ⭐️ review on apple podcasts! Show Notes: What areas am I being spiritually lazy in?  How can I create a daily rhythm that honors the Lord?  “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 NLT Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” John 15:7 NKJV “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16 NLT Where are our priorities? God's character is revealed through a personal relationship with Jesus and understanding the foundations of the Christian faith - what type of life did Jesus live?  BOOK: “Practicing The Way” - John Mark Comer Solitude Generosity Scripture Community Service Witness Slowing Sabbath Prayer Fasting --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefreedompodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefreedompodcast/support

Pastor David Morrison Matthew 5:1-4 (NLT) If you study the life of Jesus, you will find that Jesus was counter-cultural, and was viewed as a revolutionary. The common thoughts of the day were often rejected by Jesus and replaced by something that may seem counterintuitive. It's these ideas that we will spend the better part of our summer exploring. His words are valid now more than ever. Two things He addresses are wealth and happiness. Wealth and happiness seem connected in our culture. Two questions that I here asked often: Does God want me to be happy? Does God want me to be wealthy? There is a division on these answers. What was Jesus trying to say to us when He said, "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, they will be comforted." Let's look at the money question first. Matthew 19:16-30 (NLT) - I heard people try to water down what Jesus was saying. Using the example of the small gate in Jerusalem, and research that this tradition began in 1200 AD. - The reason this isn't accurate is because after this, the Bible says, "The disciples were astonished, ‘then who in the world can be saved?'" Matthew 19:26 (NLT) - Jesus is pointing to a fix for an eternal problem. - Remember earlier, He said, "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs." - It's the harsh realization that you can keep all the rules and make the best financial decisions and that still won't get you to heaven. As it relates to how much money and possessions, to be rich is "subjective." Even in a homeless camp there are those who are "rich" compared to others. In the wealthy communities, some are "rich" compared to others. Rich is a mindset that I can provide for myself; I am my source. Jesus is attacking a mindset, one that says I will make a way. The mindset of this world: If I make enough money, then I will be happy. The mindset of Jesus: / would rather you have nothing, and realize your need for me, than for you to have everything and lose your soul. Matthew 5:4 (NLT) - Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God does want you to be Happy, but He realizes that true joy isn't found in temporary or fleeting things. Psalms 1:1-4 (NLT) - Happiness is found in the company that we keep and when we desire to know God all the time, not just when is convenient or when we need Him. John 16:33 (NLT) - In this world, you will face times of mourning, just as Jesus did, but you won't be alone, because I am always with you...for you to realize your need for Me. - I am your source. I am the one who alone can bring you happiness. So don't concern yourself with all the worries of this world, you will face troubles...but I will be there with you. Isaiah 61:1-2 (NLT) - This Sermon on the Mount is Jesus stepping in and proclaiming himself as the promised Messiah, sent to those who have been searching for Happiness in all the wrong places, sent to those who have placed their trust in money and the acquisition of stuff...and is saying leave that stuff behind and follow Me. Jesus isn't saying I want you poor and unhappy, He is saying I want you whole and new and comforted. I want to be your source; would you pursue Me? I want you to live for Me. I am all in on you.

11th Sunday of Ordinary Time Sermon Passage: Mark 3:20-25 NLT Jesus and the Prince of Demons20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He's out of his mind,” they said.22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He's possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That's where he gets the power to cast out demons.”23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. 24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. 27 Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.28 “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, 29 but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.” 30 He told them this because they were saying, “He's possessed by an evil spirit.”The True Family of Jesus31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.”

NOTES: Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.'  “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Luke 18:9–14 (NLT)   Jesus wasn't just concerned about RIGHT and WRONG;  He was also concerned about PRIDE and HUMILITY.  We don't change people by judging them, but by loving them.  HUMBLE Yourself (or BE humbled)  BOTTOM LINE: Jesus didn't call us to only be RIGHT. He called us to be LOVING.  CHALLENGE: “Do I have my own ‘thank God I'm not like them' list? And if so, who's on it?”

Who is in charge of the church? Continuing this series about the church, Pastor Jamie shares about church authority. What is a church?Ekklesia - a church is an intentional gathering of people who follow Jesus. It's not a building, it's a spiritual family. Who is in charge of the church? Jesus is in charge of the church.Colossians 1:8 NLT "Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body."Ephesians 1:22-23 NLT Jesus is in charge, but He uses leaders to care for His body.Ephesians 4:11-13Jesus gave us some going-away gifts. He left us with the Holy Spirit, His written word, and He left us with leaders who have been gifted and commissioned to help us all grow spiritually.In the church, everyone is a minister, but not everyone is a leader. Things you need to know about church leadership:1. Leaders are stewards.       Matthew 28:18-19aLeaders of the church are simply stewards of Jesus' authority.James 3:1 NLT "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly."2. Leaders are servants.       Mark 10:42-45Don't wait to get your life together before you serve others. Serving others is how you get your life together. 3. Leaders are imperfect and incomplete.1 Timothy 1:16 Don't ever try to get from a leader what you can only get from the Lord. We don't follow people, we follow Jesus.4. Some church leaders are bad leaders.Jeremiah 23:1-2Leaders who have unquestioned authority, exert control over you, require you to get permission from them, practice elitism and utilize shunning are engaging in spiritual abuse. RUN. 5. Leaders are necessary.    Hebrews 13:17 "Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit."Acts 20:28-30We need shepherds because there are wolves out there, and shepherds lay their lives down for the sake of the sheep.    It's time for you to get healed from church hurt.The Lord told me years ago that he was going to send people to VFC that had been wounded.Proverbs 14:4The church is plan A for bringing the Kingdom to earth and there is no backup plan. Church is a spiritual hospital – you will find sick people. Church is a spiritual gym – you will find out-of-shape people.God lives among the mess. We should as well. Are you embracing church authority?

NOTES: Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Luke 23:32–33 (NLT)     Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.”  Luke 23:34 (NLT) Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43 (NLT) You're never too BAD to recover from your PAST. You're never GOOD enough to secure your FUTURE. You're never too LATE to respond in the PRESENT. BOTTOM LINE: Who you USED to be isn't who you HAVE to be. CHALLENGE: Write a declaration: who do YOU say Jesus is?

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come. ” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” Luke 4:18-21 NLT   For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Romans 3:23 NLT   'But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT   The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News… Luke 4:18 NLT   For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT   Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT   …to bring Good News to the poor. Luke 4:18 NLT   “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 ESV   HUMAN NATURE IS SELF-RELIANCE, BUT A DISCIPLES NATURE MUST BE SURRENDER   'He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.' John 3:30 NLT   He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released… Luke 4:18 NLT   I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent. Luke 5:32 NLT   “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 ESV   For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23 NLT   'For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. ' 2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV   that the blind will see… Luke 4:18 NLT   “We are all under the same mental calamity; we have all forgotten our names. We have all forgotten what we really are.” G.K. Chesterton   Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Ecclesiastes 1:8-9 NLT   When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Luke 3:21-22 NIV   IDENTITY - YOU ARE MY SON AFFECTION - WHOM I LOVE AFFIRMATION - WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED the oppressed will be set free… Luke 4:18 NLT   God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:5-7 NLT   So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 NLT   and that the time of the Lord's favor has come. Luke 4:19 NLT   “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 ESV   He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT   GOD IS EAGER TO SATISFY ALL THE SPIRITUAL CRAVING OF HIS CHILDREN BUT ONLY IN JESUS ARE WE FILLED AND SATISFIED!

Seven Days Pt. 3 | March 10th, 2024Pastor TJ Hankey Matthew 24:10 (NKJV) “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.”Luke 17:1 (NLT) Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come…”Luke 17:1 (NKJV) Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come…” The life of the Offended Matthew 24:10 (NKJV) “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.”Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT) And “don't sin by letting anger control you.” Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.Matthew 24:11-12 (NKJV) “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”Matthew 7:15 (NLT) Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. The life of the Unoffended 1 Samuel 26:8-11 (NLT) “God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won't need to strike twice!” “No!” David said. “Don't kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord's anointed one? Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle. The Lord forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! But take his spear and that jug of water beside his head, and then let's get out of here!” 1 Samuel 26:23-24 (NLT) “The Lord gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the Lord placed you in my power, for you are the Lord's anointed one. Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles.” Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Learn more about Easter at Bay Chapel: baychapel.com/easterGet started with Growth Track: baychapel.com/growthtrack

NOTES: Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NLT) Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:5–8 (NLT)    A new BEGINNING requires a SPIRITUAL birth. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:4–5 (NLT) HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE A NEW BIRTH? A - ADMIT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM B - BELIEVE JESUS IS THE ANSWER C - COMMIT YOUR LIFE TO JESUS BOTTOM LINE: The Gospel is not about making good people BETTER, but bringing dead people to LIFE. CHALLENGE: Go ALL IN.

When someone takes a child and meets physical and emotional needs,that child gets attached to and depended on them.  Hopefully, these people are loving parents. Too often, they are predators who sell that child for sexual services. Even when the child knows that what's happening isn't okay, they may not seek help because they are trying to fill a void. After a while, they believe that what's happening to them is simply a life they are meant to live.   This is Season 5, Episode 5. Our book this week is “Somebody's Daughter” by Julian Sher. Our guest is speaker, author, and anti-trafficking advocate BJ Garrett. We will check in with BJ after we investigate this compelling story about one daughter in particular. A young girl named Maria.   Maria was from Atlantic City, but was excited to be relocating to Las Vegas. She knew that Sin City was very aptly named in part because it was the biggest market in America for underage prostitutes. She was seventeen, and had walked the streets in many east coast cities since she was 14. Now she was in the big leagues, working the casinos. It had started when Maria ran away from home.   Authorities estimate that roughly one third of children who run away end up being exploited by sex traffickers within 48 hours of leaving their homes. Their average age? Around 12 to 14 years old. Like Maria. Maria didn't exactly grow up dreaming of being a prostitute. What she'd dreamed of becoming was a Methodist pastor.    Maria finally saw how little she really meant to this man. Working with law enforcement, Maria helped land him in jail for a long time. It wouldn't have been possible if the officer she was working with hadn't been a part of a group of officers who decided to treat child prostitutes like children first and prostitutes second.   Grab a copy of this book so you can read the whole story - it actually is very uplifting to hear about not only how police are looking at new ways to help these kids rather than just punish them for being victims. You'll also learn about groups of women who have gotten out of the life, and now devote their time to reaching out to the very young girls.   John 8:1-11 NLT   Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught  in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.   “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.   When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?”   “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” The young girl from today's story and others like her didn't grow up wanting to prostitute themselves. Her community treated her like she deserved being stoned like the Pharisees wanted to do to this woman. But their zeal wasn't for the law, it was for trapping and discrediting Jesus. The law required both parties in an act of adultery to be stoned. Even though she was caught in the act, the man with her wasn't brought before Jesus. Maria was a child, yet for a very long time she was treated more harshly than her trafficker or the men who paid for her services.    How many of us are throwing stones without considering our own sins first? And the only one who had the moral right to, wouldn't do it. And I want us to consider his words to her, “Go, and sin no more.” in a different light than we often hear it used. He's just told her that he does not condemn her, so to me it makes so much more sense that “Go and sin no more” isn't a harsh command as much as a loving invitation. The Savior knows that when we follow him, we are joining in a life that is so much better than what we could come up with on our own.    Let's make sure that all of the women in our communities who have been forced into a life like Maria's or have just made choices like this woman brought to Jesus know that they are welcome in our lives and in our faith communities. Not one of us has the moral authority to cast any stones.    Let me know what you thought of this episode! Send me an email a lori@theunlovelytruth.com or message me on social media. I love it when people are willing to have those hard, but impactful conversations!   Visit my website to access more episodes, read my blog posts, or check out ways you can financially support the podcast so that together we can impact more people, more families, and more communities. If you would like to contact me about booking me as a speaker, or ask about my consulting and investigative services, please email me at lori@theunlovelytruth.com.  Link to buy "Somebody's Daughter"   Connect with B.J.!   Share the episode    Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn   Check out my Amazon Author Page to find resources on personal safety, and safety training for churches.   

Jesus saw people in their helplessness and confusion, and He had compassion. What would it look like for us to fully receive that compassion and allow it to fuel our mission? Lead Pastor Jason Gore looks back on 2023 and forward to what's in store for 2024.--Every year at Hope, we take a moment to look back through the past year and highlight what we've experienced and accomplished. We also paint a vision for what the next year will be like for us as a church.    What has the last year looked like for us at Hope, and what are we looking forward to in this next year?  Near the end of the year, we do three things: 1. Celebrate what God has done through this church family 2. Evaluate where we are as a church family 3. Look ahead to what God has for us in the coming yearMatthew 9:35 (NLT)Jesus was with the people.Matthew 9:36 (NLT)Jesus had compassion on the people.Our God is a God of compassion.Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT)Jesus told them to pray. Pray for more workers.Matthew 10:1, 5a, 7-8 (NLT)Jesus made His disciples the answer to the prayer He told them to pray. Jesus sends those who understand His compassion to go to the ones who need compassion.Two things we need to learn from this passage: 1. Jesus has compassion for us in our brokenness. 2. We are led to show that compassion to the world around us.Compassion fuels the mission.Compassion should move us to prayer, and that prayer should lead to action.Who We Are – Our mission as a church is to love people where they are and encourage them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Strengthen families by investing in marriage, parenting and youth. Equip and empower our church to be missionaries in everyday life. Meet the needs of our community before they come to us. (locally and globally) Leverage online platforms to maximize our reach and impact. Here's what we've seen in 2023…Strengthening Families: ReEngage – More than 400 men and women went through it and came out with healthier marriages.  Family Conversations Meeting the needs of our community: Love Your School Initiative Fostering Hope Food Pantry Partnership with Ship of Zion Global Impact: 11 long-term global partners on four continents, reaching more than 50 countries Agape Global Teams relaunched in 2023. More than $650,000 in global initiatives/$10,000 to support Jewish families in Israel Equip and Empower our Church:Launched our Fuquay CampusMaximizing our reach through online platforms: Hope in Real Life podcast App in final design phases Overall: Attendance  (+15%) Baptisms  (+33%) Serving  (+10%) Small Groups  (+30%) Giving  (-2%) Looking ahead to 2024… Parenting Class/Family Convos Launching of Fuquay Local/Global initiatives Young Adult Ministry (YAM)/Student Ministry Hope In Real Life (app/podcast) EquippingBeyond ChristmasRemember Matthew 10:8b (NLT)“Give as freely as you have received!”  --For Beyond Christmas initiatives, visit https://gethope.net/christmas/#beyond.To subscribe to the Hope In Real Life podcast, visit https://gethope.net/hope-in-real-life.To get connected at Hope or to view our Communion resource, go to https://gethope.net/next.Give to support Hope's ministries at https://gethope.net/give